Alabama Football: 5 Items on the Tide's Offseason Checklist

The Alabama Crimson Tide are coming off of their second straight national title and are staring down the road to a possible third in 2013. The Tide have a few things that have to be accomplished first, but the possibility of another title looks good.

The Tide have questions on both sides of the ball, and it's going to be an intriguing offseason as the coaching staff looks to fill the voids left behind by the departing draft class.

Here is a look at the five things that must be attained to this offseason for the Tide to make a third run at the crystal ball.

Find a Solid No. 2 at Running Back

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The Crimson Tide are heading into the spring with a solid starter returning to the backfield in T.J. Yeldon. Behind Yeldon is a host of talent, but there is no clear leader to become his backup heading into the offseason.

Kenyan Drake is a solid option for the Tide, but he has yet to prove that he can separate from the pack. Incoming early enrollee Derrick Henry will find himself in the mix this spring, as will Dee Hart, who is returning from injury.

Blake Sims and Jalston Fowler are two others that are currently on roster that could challenge for some snaps.

The Tide are welcoming in Tyren Jones, Altee Tenpenny and Alvin Kamara this summer to the backfield as well, so there is a ton of talent for the coaches to look through. Finding a No. 2 will be easy with the talent on the roster.

Replace Milliner and Lester

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Alabama is in a tough spot heading into the new year in the secondary. The Tide have a lot of talent that is layered throughout the lineup, but replacing the playmaking ability of Dee Milliner and Robert Lester will be tough.

Both have been integral parts of the Alabama defense over the past few years, so finding guys to fill their shoes won’t be easy.

Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix should be a solid answer for Lester, but finding a starter to replace Milliner won’t be as easy.

Guys like Bradley Sylve, John Fulton and Geno Smith will battle for the position. This will be a drop-off point for the Tide defense, but the losses of Milliner and Lester can be overcome.